Rathkenny 2-16 Dunshaughlin 2-13

On paper, it looked like the perfect setup. But in reality, it was a tough day at the office for the 1886 Black and Amber men, as Dunshaughlin fell short in their opening championship clash against Rathkenny.

From the throw-in, Rathkenny made their intentions clear. The underdogs came out fighting, claiming the first score of the match and showing early signs of grit and determination.

Dunshaughlin found a lifeline when Niall Byrne was pushed in the back inside the small square. Referee Kieran Orwell didn't hesitate to award a penalty, giving Ruairí Kinsella the chance to open his championship account and he duly converted a fine penalty However, Byrne was unable to continue and was replaced by Ben Duggan.

Rathkenny quickly responded with two points, courtesy of David and Keith Curtis, to level the game. John McDonagh then split the posts to edge Dunshaughlin ahead once more.

Mathew Costello made a key play, winning the Rathkenny kickout, but Rathkenny turned over possession, won a free, and launched a counter-attack. Though Keith Curtis missed a 2 pointer free, Luke Kealy worked the ball cleverly back to him, and Curtis made no mistake second time around burying it past the Dunshaughlin keeper to put Rathkenny two points ahead.

A free for Dunshaughlin followed after a Rathkenny pickup off the ground. Dissent from the red and black saw the ball brought forward, allowing Ruairí Kinsella to tap over his first pointed free from a placed ball, reducing the deficit to one.

However, Dunshaughlin began to rue missed opportunities. Rathkenny made them pay, with Keith Curtis netting his second goal, stretching their lead to four points.

Mathew Costello responded with a point, but Rathkenny's David Curtis quickly answered back. Dunshaughlin had another golden opportunity when Adam Hanley was teed up by John McDonagh, but he failed to convert when he hit the post .

Rathkenny's Luke Kealy again showed his vision, setting up Christy Meade for a neat point. Then, just before the break, Keith Curtis landed a superb two-pointer from open play, capping off an excellent half for Rathkenny

Dunshaughlin managed to add one more score before the whistle through corner-forward John McDonagh, but Rathkenny took the lead into halftime.

Half time score Dunshaughlin 1-04 Rathkenny 2-07

Rathkenny picked up where they left off, winning the second-half throw-in and immediately punishing Dunshaughlin with a two-pointer from the ever-reliable Keith Curtis stretching their lead to eight points.

But Dunshaughlin weren’t done yet.

A sharp piece of link play between David Fildes and Conor Gray cut through the Rathkenny defence, and Gray buried a goal to spark life into the black and amber comeback. Moments later, Ruairí Kinsella ran through the defence and split the posts with a fine effort. Keith Curtis replied in kind to maintain the margin.

However, the momentum was beginning to shift. Conor Duke opened his championship account with a well-taken point, and then Conor Gray lit up the pitch again with a superb two-pointer, reducing the deficit to just two. Another outrageous point from Ruairí Kinsella brought it back to one, before Duke landed another to level the match and comeback was on.

Then, Charlie O’Connor stepped up with a clutch his first 2 pointer of the championship to nudge the defending champions ahead. Rathkenny responded quickly with a single point of their own, but Tadhg O'Dushlaine fisted over a clever effort to keep the gap to just two.

As tension mounted, Rathkenny were awarded a free. Keith Curtis, cool as ever, stepped back outside the arc and curled over another two-pointer to push them one ahead again. And in what felt like déjà vu, he repeated the feat moments later an almost identical free to restore a three-point cushion for the men in red and black.

Dunshaughlin had one final chance to snatch something from the game. A 45 was awarded, and Charlie O’Connor stepped up under pressure and launched it deep but The referee, unhappy with the first attempt, ordered a retake. O’Connor adjusted his options but the ball found Donal Keoghan’s hands. As the final hooter sounded, Keoghan booted it high into the stands in triumph.

Despite a spirited second-half fightback, Dunshaughlin fell just short in Game 1 of the group stages and with some key men missing.

Dunshaughlin will now reset and be ready to go again in two weeks’ time, as they prepare to take on Meath Hill in their second game of the group stages..

Note to all Dunshaughlin fans and supporters the weekend isn’t over just yet!

Our focus now turns to Monday evening, as our second men’s team hits the road to Kilbride to take on "The Moors" Donaghmore Ashbourne at 6PM this Bank Holiday Monday.

The lads have put in the work and now they need you the 16th man to support this young side

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